Electrochemical evaluation of the Stenocarpus sinuatus plant for bioenergy recovery using plant microbial fuel cells in the coastal environment of the Atacama Desert

Abstract

The potential of Plant Microbial Fuel Cells (PMFCs) for renewable energy generation using Stenocarpus sinuatus plants in the coastal environment of the Atacama Desert is evaluated. The electrochemical performance of PMFCs using different electrode materials (copper and AISI 316L) and configurations (series and parallel), as well as the effect of electrode size and spacing are analyzed. Maximum voltages of 0.318 V and 0.407 V were obtained using Cu/SS316L electrode pairs connected in series in three reactors. The smaller electrodes (5 × 0.5 cm²) showed better performance, attributed to lower internal resistance and higher electron transfer efficiency. The integration of PMFCs with locally adapted plants and suitable materials represents a viable strategy for decentralized clean energy generation in arid coastal regions, highlighting the need for corrosion-conscious design and appropriate maintenance strategies.